The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-03-05
Sights at North Carolina Camp
Meeting.

Corr. New York Commercial Advertiser.
All preliminaries having been set
tied, the first minister ordered all to
TALL in for the march "two by two,
preachers in front, men together,
women together" Instantly there
was stir among the people. The
platform was vacated, its occupants
moving by couples outside the arbor.
The others followed, o promiscuous
throng old and young, with the pre-
ternaturally solemn visages. Old men
leaning on sticks, girls with 1.-the forms
arrayed in gay colors, tall, lank wom-
EN-. fat, saucy-looking boys, muscular,
large. boned men. The preacher from
"the land OF the sky" handed a book
to his stalwart brother, who gave
out the hymn, "rhere's Room Enough
in Heaven" The singer started the
tune, and with feet keeping time and
bodies swaying in unison the long
string OF dusky worshipers began the
farewell march. Passing the nearer
tents, then retracing their steps for
half the distance, then turning toward
those on the right OF the quadrangle,
he procession twisted sinuouSly by all
the huts in turn, receiving constant adj
ditions as it passed them, until nearly
every colored person on the ground
was in line. Long before the round
was completed, the sun emerged from
the clouds and shone holly upon the
throng The preachers, whose heads
were bare, spread their handkerchieis
over them, keeping one hand on topall
the time to prevent them from being
blown away.
The procession finally halted on the
hillside, u great circle OF humanity.
The preachers entered it; at their or
der all faced inward. Exhortations
from several brethren were ad-
dressed to the impenitent, the min
listers resumed their places, and
then there was counter-march
in a single file, circle with
in circle, until each had shaken
hands with every other, all singing
and swaying to the music as before.
Finally the head OF the procession
emerged from the ring and started
for the arbor, the directing preacher
and most of those who followed have
ing fallen into not ungraceful dane
ing step. They entered, the ministers
and elders marched to the platform,
their tune and steps growing livelier
all the while. Some fifty OF the WON.
en- rushed into the open space, while
Others FASTENED to the benches and
mounted them. Those dancing in
front of the platform grew more and
more excited; they gided back
and forth, twirling themselves like
tetotums, or leaped several feet
from the ground. all keeping time
to the music, which waved louder and
louder. The preachers were moving
in every Joint, patting their hands on
their knees and stimulating the ex.
element. Some women dropped
from exhaustion and we're carried out
all were pallid, their breathing was
labored and spasmodic; even the
preachers showed signs OF weakening,
when suddenly one OF them raised his
hand. Almost Immediately the sing
ing ceased and he managed to say in
voice scarcely audible; "All kneel and
pray" The request was obeyed. In
the midst of quiet and hush in
strange contrast to the previous noise
and whirl, a voice was heard, clear,
calm and not over loud, asking God $
blessing on their farewell. Then a So
norous benediction was pronounced,
and the great McElroy camp-meeting
OF 1886 was over.